Pickleball Etiquette for Kids
Pickleball Kids USA Competitors Show Good Sportsmanship When “Iron Sharpens Iron”
by Randall Bedwell © 2021
Everyone must follow the rules of the game in pickleball. Rules make sure that play is safe and fair. Pickleball also has unwritten rules or customs – what we call “etiquette” – the way you act and behave to uphold safety, respect, and fairness to everyone around you on the pickleball court.
Below are some tips on pickleball etiquette that all Pickleball Kids USA junior players are expected to follow:
Pickleball is just a game and, win or lose, you are primarily here to learn. Our motto “iron sharpens iron” means we help each other learn and grow as both pickleball players and as friends.
Pickleball Kids USA is a club with many kids playing at different skill levels. Sometimes you may end up playing someone not matched to your level. Remember this: Pickleball Kids USA junior players are courteous and respectful of everyone, regardless of how well they play. Remember, you were in their shoes once, too.
Make sure you introduce yourself to your opponents and share something about yourself. Start and contribute to conversations. You are friendly competitors on the court and friends off the court.
When crossing behind another court to get to (or leave) your court, wait until the point is over and ask if it is okay for you to cross. Then tell them “thank you” when you have crossed successfully.
Do not chase a ball onto another court. Yell “ball on court!” to the players on that court. They will stop playing immediately (because it’s dangerous!), retrieve your ball for you, and play their point over. Always say “thank you” when someone retrieves a ball for you.
Congratulate your opponent when they hit a great shot! (You can also clap with your paddle face the way tennis players do with their racquets)
If you (or your partner) accidentally step into the kitchen or break another rule and realize it, call it on yourself. Character counts.
Don’t make it a big celebration when your opponent makes an error.
Announce the score before you serve each time.
If there is a disagreement about the score, play the point over or consider giving your opponent the benefit of the doubt.
Hitting most shots to a weaker doubles opponent just to win isn’t good sportsmanship. You become a better player when you also rally with stronger players.
No one wants “pickle face” so if you think you may hit your partner with either a paddle or ball, just stop the point. It is better to lose a point than to possibly injure your partner.
Anger, sarcasm, or bad sportsmanship is never acceptable. Period.
Line calls are the receiving side’s responsibility.
If you are not certain that a ball landed in, you need to call it out. Sometimes, the decision is hard choice when a match is close, but integrity in making hard calls is important.
Play your strongest game against equal or better opponents but focus on honing specific skills when playing weaker opponents.
If you accidentally hit someone with a ball, apologize immediately.
When the game ends, meet at the net and congratulate your opponent. Just saying “good game” and walking away isn’t enough. Pickleball is a game that fosters friendships so be courteous, genuine, and sincere to your opponent.
“Iron Sharpens Iron” is our motto and Pickleball Kids USA players practice a “3-2-1” at the end of each match. It is hard to do at first but gets easier with practice. Players take turns and recall to each other:
- 3 Good shots that your opponent(s) hit
- 2 Good shots that you hit
- 1 Thing that you learned about yourself from the match
Pickleball Kids USA believes that the “spirit of the game” is as important as the game itself and that the way you conduct yourself on the court helps you off the court.
Please reviews these guidelines on pickleball etiquette and let us know if you can come up with some new ones. We will add it to this page and give you credit for coming up with it!
